The Ultimate Touring Banjo
The Winston Marshall Signature Model is, in his own words, the ultimate touring banjo. Every detail of this banjo has a purpose and is the result of more than a year of close collaboration between Deering and Winston. Some are by necessity - features that he has adopted over the last eight years of playing Deering Eagle II banjos on some of the biggest stages on the planet. Others are personal aesthetics, revealing a glimpse into the mind of the man who has arguably bought banjo to the forefront of modern popular culture more than anyone before him.
On the surface, one could argue that this banjo is quite understated. However, underneath this smooth simplicity lies a beating heart of banjo innovation.
The electronics are a key feature of the Winston Marshall Model. The Kavanjo/piezo blended pickups were inspired by a similar system from Deering’s Phoenix banjo, only taken up a notch specifically for Winston’s Signature Model and his touring needs.
This new set-up is the Kavanjo Blender System DVS (Dual Volume Switch) model which features two knobs which allow the player to control the volume of the Kavanjo and Piezo separately to get the perfect honed-in mix between the two. The volume knobs on this model have also moved location from the traditional “below strings” of an electric guitar, up to the top shoulder of the rim of the banjo, more akin to the EQ dials of an acoustic guitar, for ease of access.
Nestled in between the knobs is a 3-way toggle switch, giving the player the ability to quickly select the Kavanjo at the neck position, the piezo at the bridge position, or simply blend the two at the flick of a switch.
With a standard guitar cable players can plug directly into an amp, DI, or pedal board and be ready to roll. However, look closely, and you will notice something different about Winston’s banjo. Snugged in next to the jack, is an XLR jack. This is an added tool that compliments (or works alongside) the pickups. You can install your favorite mic, by simply plugging it into the XLR jack and strapping it to the coordinator rods. This is a feature Winston has used from time to time on tour and, together with the pickups, gives the broadest range of amplification control and options possible on a banjo.
The Grenadillo wood Tone Ring has two benefits. It gives the banjo a significantly lighter weight which is heaven sent for players like Winston who like the freedom to move on stage. While at the same time giving a warm depth of tone while not losing on the bright side of the tonal range. This has become the tone ring of choice for many professional mainstream players.
The banjo itself is a maple banjo, stained in a rich dark amber and finished in a sleek, understated satin finish. The fingerboard inlays are all Winston. All the inlay work is mother of pearl, with the majority of fret markers depicting the shield motif from Gentlemen of the Road [GOTR]. Winston’s name features at the 19th fret, while the symbol of his home the Union Flag waves across the seventh fret. The peghead is adorned by the original “Willis”, Mumford & Son’s long-standing, top hat wearing mascot who has become synonymous with the band since day one.
Neck Wood: Quartersawn A Grade Curly Maple
Neck Shape: Slender "D" Shape
Stain: Dark Amber
Finish: Satin
Nut Material: Bone Nut
Tuners: Deering Planetary Banjo Tuners
5th String Tuner: Deering Gotoh Geared 5th String Tuner
Frets: 22 Pressed In Nickel Silver Frets
Fingerboard: AA Grade Ebony
Inlays: Mother of Pearl Inlays of GOTR Shields Down the Fretboard, Union Jack at the 7th Fret, and Bold Name Plate Inlay with Winston Marshall Engraved into It at the 19th Fret, Original 'Willis' on Peghead
Rim: 3-Ply Violin Grade Maple
Rim Diameter: 11"
Tone Ring: Hartford Grenadillo Tone Ring
Head: 11″ Top Frosted Medium Crown
Tension Hoop: Deering Brass Notched Tension Hoop
Hooks & Nuts: 24 Round J-Hooks and 1/4″ Hex Nuts
Flange: 2 Piece Eagle Series Flange
Armrest: Matched Wooden Deering Armrest
Hardware Plating: Nickel
Bridge: 5/8" Deering Smile Bridge
Tailpiece: Deering True Tone Tailpiece
Finish: Hand Finished Satin Polyurethane
Resonator Wood: 3-Ply Poplar/Poplar/Maple
Resonator Finish: Satin
Resonator Sidewalls: Straight
Resonator Diameter: 13 7/8"
Resonator Stain: Dark Amber
Neck Width at the Nut: 1 1/4"
Scale Length Nut to Bridge: 26 1/4"
Rim Diameter: 11"
Overall Instrument Length: 38"
Weight Approx.: 10 lbs
The trust and pride we share in our product gives us the confidence to grant every owner of a Deering banjo a lifetime warranty ensuring thequality of our materials and workmanship.
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Comes strung with Deering Light Gauge Strings
Comes tuned: G, D, G, B, D
Can easily be tuned in other tunings as well.
Comes with a hardshell case.
NB: Due to current supply constraints, case brand may vary.